Michelle CHAN

University Transfer Program Stage IIBachelor of Communication

Hi. My name is Michelle, I am currently a SFU year3 communications major student. I moved to Canada in 2014 after my HKDSE. I am glad that I have the opportunity to stay in Canada and study there. I get used to the Canadian lifestyle very quickly. Their lifestyle is very different from Hong Kong. People there are very nice and polite. I feel so relaxed being there, unlike being in Hong Kong stressing myself out. I also started to appreciate studying in Canada and being active at school to gain more experience. I helped FIC hold orientation for two semesters, and joined the board of director in a student club in SFU. SFU provides a lot of volunteer experiences, which empower myself and ensure my ability.

How I found my interest and decided my major in university

Before I went to Canada, I struggled in choosing a major. I studied economics, physics and chemistry in secondary school, and felt uninterested after HKDSE. So, I began my study life under arts and social science in my first semester at Fraser International College, which is not related to what I have studied in secondary school. I took several arts and social science courses and a communication course in my first semester. Surprisingly, the communication introductory course arouses my interest in communication. Therefore, I started to make up my mind in my major and changed my major into communications in second semester, which is totally different from arts and social science. The flexible education system in Canada allows me to change my major freely and would not affect my degree. Students can even do any major and minor combinations that they like. This flexibility allows students to develop their own unique pathway.

What is communication and what did I learn so far?

The main reason that I chose communications is that I like to interact with people, and communication is the most important element for our daily life. I believe that an effective communication is very important to the society, and so I am interested in studying communication to explore more about its power. It has been very amusing in studying in communications, we have a lot of opportunities to interact with people, for instance presentations and projects. By taking these opportunities, we can learn a lot, hence applying the skills that we have learnt. The projects are also very engaging, which I enjoy a lot doing it. One of the most memorable project is in an advertising course, we were asked to form in a group in the first week. Our task is to make an advertising video and show it to the whole class in the last week of course. The process of making the advertisement is fascinating, from mind-mapping our ideas to recording. This group project gives us a practical chance to apply the advertising skills and concepts we have learnt in an enjoyable way.

Have you thought of working during studying?

I am now undergoing a Co-op program under SFU, which is similar to internship in Hong Kong. Being able to work in a workplace in undergraduate period is very valuable. It is a great opportunity for me to ensure my ability and apply the skills that I have learnt in class practically. SFU cooperates with a lot of worldwide companies to offer Co-op jobs for students, for instance Google, Tesla, HSBC and etc. I am being lucky to be able to work with Navitas and applying the skills that I have learnt in the workplace. It does not only help filling up my resume, but also a way to empower myself and be more confident.